Car salesman Mark Wint has landed a £245 court bill - after police caught him with a prostitute.

Officers spotted the 50-year-old picking up the sex worker in Cobridge and followed them to a ‘secluded spot’.

It comes as Staffordshire Police have stepped up patrols to tackle soliciting in Stoke-on-Trent's 'red light' district.

Prosecutor Lynne Warrington told North Staffordshire Justice Centre: “Officers on duty saw a woman they knew to be a prostitute. They saw a Renault van pull into Elder Road from Nile Street with a lone male driver.

Kerb-crawler Mark Wint

“He stopped just past where the prostitute was standing and she approached the passenger side of the car. She had a brief conversation and then got into the vehicle and they drove off.

"They were followed by officers to a secluded spot on an industrial estate. Officers found both parties at the side of a building. Mr Wint’s trousers were open.”

Wint, of Laurel Close, Blurton, was arrested and told police he had initially thought the woman was his daughter’s friend, which was why he had stopped. He went on to plead guilty to soliciting. He has a record of previous convictions, including prison sentences.

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